Instrument of Surrender
of
All German armed forces in HOLLAND, in
northwest Germany including all islands,
and in DENMARK.

1. The German Command agrees to the
surrender of all armed forces in HOLLAND, in northwest GERMANY including
the FRISLIAN ISLANDS and HELIGOLAND and all islands, in SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN,
and in DENMARK, to the C.-in-C. 21 Army Group. --This to include all naval
ships in these areas-- These forces to lay down their arms and to surrender
unconditionally.

2. All hostilities on land, on sea,
or in the air by German forces in the above areas to cease at 0800 hrs.
British Double Summer Time on Saturday 5 May 1945.

3. The German command to carry out
at once, and without argument or comment, all further orders that will
be issued by the Allied Powers on any subject.

4. Disobedience of orders, or failure
to comply with them, will be regarded as a breach of these surrender terms
and will be dealt with by the Allied Powers in accordance with the laws
and usages of war.

5. This insturment of surrender is
independent of, without pre- judice to, and will be superseded by any general
instrument of surrender imposed by or on behalf of the Allied Powers and
applicable to Germany and the German armed forces as a whole.

6. This instument of surrender is
written in English and in German. The English version is the authentic
text.

7. The decision of the Allied Powers
will be final if any doubt or dispute arise as to the meaning or intrepretation
of the surrender terms.

1. We the undersigned, acting by authority
of the German High Command, hereby surrender unconditionally to the Supreme
Commander, Allied Expeditionary Forces and simultaneously to the Soviet
High Command all forces on land, sea and in the air who are at this date
under German control.
2. The German High Command will at once
issue orders to all German military, naval and air authorties and to all
forces under German control to cease active operations at --2301-- hours
Central European time on -- 8 May-- and to remain in the positions occupied
at that time. No ship, vessel, or aircraft is to be scuttled, or any damage
done to their hull, machinery or equipment.
3. The German High Command will at once
issue to the appropriate commander, and ensure the carrying out of any
further orders issued by the Supreme Commander, Allied Expeditionary Force
and by the Soviet High Command.
4. This act of military surrender is
without prejudice to, and will be superseded by any general instrument
of surrender imposed by, or on behalf of the United Nations and applicable
to GERMANY and the German armed forces as a whole.
5. In the event of the German High Command
or any of the forces under their control failing to act in accordance with
this Act of Surrender, the Supreme Commander, Allied Expeditionary Force
and the Soviet High Command will take such punitive or other action as
they deem appropriate.

Signed at RHEIMS at 0241 on the 7th day of May, 1945.

France

On behalf of the German High Command.

JODL

IN THE PRESENCE OF

On behalf of the Supreme Commander, Allied Expeditionary Force, W. B.
SMITH
On behalf of the Soviet High Command, SOUSLOPAROV

F SEVEZ, Major General, French Army
(Witness)

SUPREME HEADQUARTERS,
ALLIED EXPEDITIONARY FORCE

SERIAL 1

ORDERS BY THE SUPREME COMMANDER,
ALLIED EXPEDITIONARY FORCE RELATING TO
ARMY AND AIR FORCES UNDER GERMAN CONTROL

1. Local commanders of the Army and
Air Force under German control on the Western Front, in NORWAY and in the
CHANNEL ISLANDS will hold themselves in readiness to receive detailed orders
for the surrender of their forces from the Supreme Commander's subordinate
commanders opposite their front.
2. In the case of NORWAY the Supreme
Commander's representatives will be the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief,
Scottish Command and Air Officer Commanding 13 Group RAF.
3. In the case of the CHANNEL ISLANDS
the Supreme Commander's representatives will be the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief,
Southern Command and Air Officer Commanding 10 Group RAF.

SPECIAL ORDERS BY THE SUPREME COMMANDER,
ALLIED EXPEDITIONARY FORCE TO THE GERMAN HIGH COMMAND RELATING TO NAVAL
FORCES

For the purpose of these orders the term "Allied Representatives"
shall be deemed to include the Supreme Commander, Allied Expeditionary
Force, and any subordinate commander, staff officer or agent acting pursuant
to his orders.

PART I GENERAL

Definition of Naval Forces

1. For the purpose of these orders
all formations, units, and personnel of the German Navy together with the
Marine Kusten Polizie shall be refered to as the German Naval Forces.

2. Members of the Marine Kusten Polizie
will immediately be placed under the command of the appropriate German
Naval Commanders who will be responsible for their maintenance and supply
where applicable, to the same extent and degree as for units of the German
Navy. German Naval Representatives and information required immediately

3. The German High Command will dispatch
within 48 hours after the surrender becomes effective, a res- ponsible
Flag Officer to the Allied Naval Commander, Expeditionary Force at his
headquarters. This Flag Officer will furnish the Allied Naval Commander,
Expeditionary Force, with:-
a.
Corrected copies of charts showing all minefields in Western Europe waters,
including the BALTIC as far as LUBECK (inclusive) which have been laid
by German and German-controlled vessels or aircraft, positions of all wrecks,
booms and other underwater obstructions in this area, details of the German
convoy routes and searched channels and of all bouys, lights and other
navigational aids in this area. The appropriate navigational publications
are also required.
b.
Details of the exact location of all departments and branches of the German
Admiralty (OKM).
c.
All available information concerning the numbers and types of German minesweepers
and sperr- brechers in German controlled Dutch ports and German NORTH SEA
ports that can be obtained without delaying his departure. This German
Flag Officer is to be accompanied by a Communications Officer who is familiar
with the German Naval W/T organization and who is to bring with him the
current naval communications Orders, including allocation of frequencies,
list of W/T and R/T call signs in force, and a list of all codes and cyphers
in use, and intended to be brought into use.
d.
Location of all surface warships down to and including "Elbing"
class Torpedo Boats, and of all submarines and "E" Boats.

4. The German High Command will also
dispatch within 48 hours after the surrender becomes effective a responsibile
officer, not below the rank of Captain, by coastal craft to report to the
Admiral Commanding at DOVER for onward routing to Commander-in-Chief, THE
NORE, with:-
a.
Corrected copies of charts showing all minefields in the NORTH SEA SOUTH
of 54 30' NORTH and EAST of 1 30' EAST laid by German and German-controlled
vessels or aircraft, positions of all wrecks, booms and all other underwater
obstructions; details of all German Convoy routes and searched channels
in this area, and of all bouys, lights and other navigational aids which
are under German control. Appropriate naviga- tional publications are also
required.
b.
All available information concerning the numbers and types of German minesweepers
and sperrbrechers in German contolled Dutch ports and German NORTH SEA
ports that can be obtained without delaying his departure.

5. Another responsible German Naval
Officer, with similar information is to be dispatched by un- escorted aircraft
painted white to MANSTON Areodrome position 51 20' NORTH, 1 20' EAST for
onward routing to Commander-in-Chief, THE NORE.

6. The German High Command will issue
instruc- tions to certain German naval commands as indicated below:-
a.
The Naval Commander-in-Chief, NORTH SEA will dispatch by coastal craft
within 48 hours after the surrender becomes effective a responsible officer,
not below the rank of Captain, to the Admiral Commanding at DOVER for onward
routing to Commander-in-Chief, THE NORE, with:-

(1) details of minesweeping operations carried out in the German convoy
route between the HOOK OF HOLLAND and HAMBURG and in approaches to harbours
between these two ports during the previous 60 days;

(2) numbers and postions of all British mines swept during these operations;

(3) details of all controlled mine- fields in this area and information
whether they have been rendered ineffective;

(4) details of all other mining and types of mines employed in the
harbours and harbour approaches of CUXHAVEN, EMDEN, TERSCHELLING, TEXEL,
IJMUIDEN, AMSTERDAM, SCHEVENINGEN, HOOK OF HOLLAND and ROTTERDAM;

(5) berthing facilities in the harbours enumerated in paragraph (6a).
(4) above and the numbers of auxiliary minesweepers which can be accomodated;

(6) a list of all W/T and R/T call signs in use by the German Navy.

Any of the above information which cannot
be obtained without delaying the departure of this officer will be forwarded
subsequently as soon as it is available.
b.
The Naval Commander-in-Chief, NORTH SEA, will also dispatch as soon as
possible by coastal craft to DOVER thirteen German Naval Officers who must
be familiar with the German swept channels between the HOOK OF HOLLAND
and CUXHAVEN. These officers will bring with them all the charts and books
required for naviagation in this area and will be accompanied by pilots
(and interpreters if necessary).
c.
The Naval Commander-in-Chief, NORWAY, will dispatch by sea within 48 hours
after the surrender becomes effective, a responsible officer, not below
the rank of Captain to the Commander-in-Chief, ROSYTH, with corrected copies
of charts showing all German minefields in the NORTH SEA, NORTH of 56 NORTH,
all wrecks, booms and other underwater obstructions, details of German
convoy routes and searched channels in this area, of the approach channels
to the principal Norwegian ports and of all bouys, lights and other navigational
aids in this area. This officer will also bring with him the disposition
of all "U" Boats and details of all orders affecting their future
movements. He will be accompanied by six German Naval Officers with pilots
(and interpreters if necessary) who are familiar with the coastal swept
channels between OSLO and TROMSO. These officers will bring with them all
the charts and books required for navigation in Norwegian waters, and a
list of all W/T and R/T call signs in use by the German Navy.
d.
The Naval Commander-in-Chief, NORWAY, will dispatch a duplicate party to
the above with similar informa- tion by an unescorted aircraft painted
white to DREM Airfield 56 02' NORTH 02 48' WEST.
e.
The Naval Commander-in-Chief, NORWAY, will report by W/T to the Commander-in-Chief,
ROSYTH, within 48 hours after the surrender becomes effective, the following
information:-

(2) The appropriate quantities of furnace oil fuel, diesel oil fuel,
and coal at all the principal Norwegian ports between OSLO and TROMSO.

7. The German Admiral SKGGERAK will
dispatch by sea within 48 hours after the surrender becomes effective,
a responsible officer not below the rank of Captain, to the Commander-in-Chief,
ROSYTH, with corrected copies of charts showing all German minefields,
wrecks, booms, and other underwater obstructions, details of German convoy
routes and searched channels, bouys, lights and other navigational aids
in the SKAGGERAK, KATTEGAT, THE BEITS AND SOUND, KIEL BAY and BALTIC WATERS
WEST of 14 EAST. This officer will also bring with him the disposition
of all "U" boats in the above area and details of all orders
affecting their future move- ments. He will be accompanied by three German
Naval officers with pilots (and interpreters if necessary) who are familiar
with the coastal swept channels, and channels in the Swedish territorial
waters, in the waters referred to above. These officers will bring with
them all the charts and books required for navigation in these waters,
and a list of all W/T and R/T call signs in use by the German Navy.
The German Admiral SKAGGERAK will dispatch
a duplicate party to that specified above, with similar information, by
air in unescorted aircraft painted white to DREM Airfield 56 02' NORTH
02 48' WEST.

8. The German Naval Officers who
will be dis- patched to DOVER and ROSYTH by sea will proceed to positions
in latitude 51 19' NORTH longitude 1 43' EAST and latitude 56 47' NORTH
longitude 1 13' WEST respectively, where they will be met by British warships
and escorted to their destination. The ships or craft in which they travel
are to fly a large white flag at the masthead by day and are to illuminate
these white flags by night. These ships are to broadcast their positions
hourly by W/T on 500 ks. (600 meters) whilst on passage. Information required
within fourteen days

9. The German High Command will furnish
the following information to the Allied Naval Commander, Expeditionary
Force, at by within fourteen days of cessation of hostilities.
a.
Locations of all warships, auxiliaries and armed coastal craft operating
under the orders of the German Naval Command stating particulars of the
operational unit to which they are attached, giving approximate totals
of all naval personal embarked in each vessel, (including naval flak and
merchant ship flak).
b.
A statement of the organizations of all naval shore Commands, giving location
of all naval establishments, including establishments for experiment and
research, names of all Commanding Officers and Principal Staff Officers
of the rank of Commander in each establishment.
c.
A statement of the strength and location of all naval land forces including
naval infrantry, naval flak, merchant ship flak and naval personnel manning
naval coast artillery and full particulars of all Coastal and port defenses
giving nature and locations.
d.
Lists of stocks of furnace oil fuels, diesel oil fuel, petrol, and coal
of 500 tons or more at, or in the vicinity of, all ports between IJMUIDEN
and HAMBURG inclusive.
e.
A statement of location of the principal naval armament depots with approximate
overall stocks of each major item held.
f.
The following communications information:-

(1) location and details concerning all V/S, W/T (including D/F) and
radar stations in use by, and under constuc- tion for the German Navy,
these details to include types and capabilities of all equipment fitted.

(2) details of the current naval W/T organization, lists of W/T and
R/T call signs in force, and allocation of all frequencies for communication
and radar purposes. (3) location and details of all naval communications
(including Infra-Red) and naval radar training and research establishments.

g. Full details of all German minefields in the NORTH SEA, SKAGGERAK, KATTEGAT,
BEITS, and SOUND.
h.
Full details of the German naval minesweeping organization including the
communications organization.
j.
Full details of the communications (including Infra-Red) and radar equipment
fitted in all German minesweepers and sperrbrechers.
k.
Technical details of all types of minesweeping gear used by the German
Navy.
l.
Details of all mining and types of mines employed and of berthing facilities
available for ships of 150 feet in length and 16 feet draught at:-

BREMERHAVEN

WILHELMSHAVEN

SCHIERMONNIKOOG

DELFZIJL

10. The German High Command will
also furnish the Allied Naval Commander, Expeditionary Force, with two
copies of all coding and cyphering systems which have been, are being,
or were to be used by the German Navy with the necessary instructions for
their use and the dates between which they have been, or were to have been
used.

PART II - CONTROL AND DISARMAMENT

Orders to warships, auxiliaries, merchant ships and other craft

11. The German High Command will
forthwith direct all German and German-controlled warships, auxiliaries,
merchant ships and other craft to comply with the following instructions:-
a.
All warships, auxiliaries, merchant ships and other craft in harbours are
to remain in harbour pending further directions from the Allied Representatives.
b.
All warships, auxiliaries, merchant ships and other craft at sea are to
report their positions in plain language immediately to the nearest British,
US or Soviet Coast Wireless Telegraphy station on 500 kc/s (600 metres),
and are to proceed to the nearest German or Allied port or such ports as
the Allied Representatives may direct, and remain there pending further
directions from the Allied Representatives. At night they are to show lights
and to display searchlights with beams held vertically.
c.
All warships and merchant ships whether in port or at sea will immediately
train all weapons fore and aft. All torpedo tubes will be unloaded and
breech blocks will be removed from all guns.
d.
All warships and merchant ships in German or German-controlled harbours
will immediately land and store in safety all ammunition, warheads and
other explosives. They will land all portable weapons but, pending further
instuctions, warships will retain onboard the fixed armament. Fire control
and all other equipment will be maintained on board intact and fully efficient.
e.
All minesweeping vessels are to carry out the means of disarmament prescribed
in c. and d. above, (except that they will however, retain on board such
portable weapons and explosives as are required for minesweeping purposes)
and are to be prepared immediately for minesweeping service under the direction
of the Allied Representatives. They will complete with fuel where necessary.
f.
All German salvage vessels are to carry out the measures of disarmament
prescribed in c. and d. above (except that they will retain on board such
explosives as are required for salvage purposes.) These vessels, together
with all salvage equipment and personnel, are to be prepared for immediate
salvage operations under the direction of the Allied Representatives, completing
with fuel where necessary for this purpose.
g.
The movement of transport on the inland waterways of GERMANY may continue,
subject to orders from the Allied Representatives. No vessels moving on
inland waterways will proceed to neutral waters. Submarines

12. The German High Command will
tranmit by W/T on appropriate frequencies the two messages in Annexures
'A' and 'B' which contain instructions to submarines at sea. Naval Aircraft

13. The German High Command will
forthwith direct that:-
a.
German naval aircraft are not to leave the ground or water or ship pending
directions from the Allied Representatives;
b.
naval aircraft in the air are to return immediately to their bases. Neutral
shipping

14. The German High Command will
forthwith direct that all neutral merchant ships in German and German-
controlled ports are to be detained pending further directions from the
Allied Representatives. Orders relating to sabotage, scuttling, safety
measures, pilotage and personnel

15. The German High Command will
forthwith issue categorical directions that:-
a.
No ship, vessel or aircraft of any description is to be scuttled, or any
damage done to their hull, machinery or equipment.
b.
all harbour works and port facilities of whatever nature, including telecommunications
and radar stations, are to be preserved and kept free from destruction
or damage pending further directions from the Allied Representatives, and
all necessary steps taken and all necessary orders issued to prohibit any
act of scuttling, sabotage, or other willful damage.
c.
all boom defenses at all ports and harbours are to be opened and kept open
at all times; where possible, they are to be removed.
d.
all controlled minefields at all ports and harbours are to be disconnected
and rendered ineffective.
e.
all demolition charges in all ports and harbour works are to be removed
or rendered ineffective and their presence indicated.
f.
the existing wartime sustem of navigational lighting is to be maintained,
except that all dimmed lights are to be shown at full brilliancy, and lights
only shown by special arrangement are to be exhibited continously. In particular:-

(1) HELIGOLAND Light is to be burnt at full brilliancy.

(2) The bouyage of the coastal convoy route from the HOOK OF HOLLAND
to HAMBURG is to be commenced, mid-channel light bouys being laid six miles
apart.

(3) Two ships are to be anchored as mark vessels in the following positions:

54 20' N, 5 00' E.
54 20' N, 6 30' E.

These ships are to fly a large black flag at the mast- head by day and
by night are to flash a searchlight vertically every 30 seconds.

g.
All pilotage services are to continue to operate and all pilots are to
be held at their normal stations ready for service and equipped with their
charts.
h.
German Naval and other personnel concerned in the operation of ports and
administrative services in ports are to remain at their stations and to
continue to carry out their normal duties. Personnel

16. The German High Command will
forthwith direct that except as may be required for the purpose of giving
effect to the above special orders:-
a.
all personnel in German warships, auxiliaries, merchant ships and other
craft, are to remain on board their ships pending further directions from
the Allied Representatives.
b.
all Naval personnel ashore are to remain in their establishments.

17. The German High Command will
be responsible for the immediate and total disarmament of all naval personnel
on shore. The orders issued to the German High Command in respect of the
disarmament and war material of land forces will apply also to naval personnel
on shore.

Carry out the following instuctions
forthwith which have been given by the Allied Representatives

(A) Surface immediately and remain surfaced.
(B)
Report immediately in P/L your position in latitude and longitude and number
of your "U" Boat to nearest British, US, Canadian or Soviet coast
W/T station on 500 kc/s (600 metres) and to call sign GZZ 10 on one of
the following high frequencies: 16845 - 12685 or 5970 kc/s.
(C)
Fly a large black or blue flag by day.
(D)
Burn navigation lights by night.
(E)
Jettison all ammunition, remove breachblocks from guns and render torpedos
safe by removing pistols. All mines are to be rendered safe.
(F)
Make all signals in P/L.
(G)
Follow strictly the instructions for proceeding to Allied ports from your
present area given in immediately following message.
(H)
Observe strictly the orders of Allied Representatives to refrain from scuttling
or in any way damaging your "U" Boat.

2. These instructions will be repeated
at two-hour intervals until further notice.

ANNEXURE 'B'

To all "U" Boats at sea.
Observe strictly the instructions already given to remain fully surfaced.
Report your position course and speed every 8 hours. Obey any instructions
that may be given to you by any Allied authority.
The following are the areas and routes
for "U" Boats surrendering-

(1) Area 'A'.
a.
Bound on West by meridian 026 degs West and South by parallel 043 degs
North in Barents Sea by meridian 020 degs East in Baltic Approaches by
line joining the Naze and Hantsholm but excludes Irish Sea between 051
degs thirty mins and 055 degs 00 mins North and English Channel between
line of Lands End Scilly Islands Ushant and line of Dover-Calais.
b.
Join one of following routes at nearest point and procceed along it to
Loch Eriboll (058 degs 33 minutes North 004 degs 37 mins West)

(3) Area 'C'
a.
The English Channel between line of Lands End - Scilly Isles - Ushant and
line of Dover - Calais.
b.
'U' Boats in area 'C' are to join one of following routes at nearest point:
Green route: position 'A' 049 degs 10 mins North 005 degs 40 mins West
position 'B' 050 degs 00 mins North 003 degs 00 mins West thence escorted
to Weymouth. Orange route: position 'X' 050 degs 30 mins North 000 degs
50 mins East position 'Y' 050 degs 10 mins North 001 degs 50 mins West
thence escorted to Weymouth.
c.
Arrive at either 'B' or 'Y' between sunrise and 3 hours before sunset.

(4) Area 'D'
a.
Bound on West by lines joining The Naze and Hantsholm and on East by lines
joining Lubeck and Trelleborg.
b.
Proceed to Kiel.

(5) Area 'E'
a.
Mediterranean Approaches bound on North by 043 degs North on South by 026
degs North and on West by 026 degs West.
b.
Proceed to a rendezvous in position 'A' 036 degs 00 mins North 011 degs
00 mins West and await escort reporting expected time of arrival in plain
language to Admiral Gibraltar on 500 kc/s.
c.
Arrive in position 'A' between sunrise and noon G.M.T.

(6) Area 'F'
a.
The North and South Atlantic West of 026 degs West.
b.
Proceed to nearest of one of following points arriving between sunrise
and 3 hours before sunset: W 043 degs 30 mins North 070 degs 00 mins West
approach from a point 15 miles due East X 038 degs 20 mins North 074 degs
25 mins West approach from a point 047 degs 18 mins North 051 30 mins West
on a course 270 degs Z 043 31 mins North 065 degs 05 mins West approach
from point 042 degs 59 mins North 054 degs 28 mins West on a course 320
degs.

UNDERTAKING GIVEN BY CERTAIN GERMAN EMISSARIES
TO THE ALLIED HIGH COMMANDS

It is agreeed by the German emissaries
undersigned that the following German officers will arrive at a place and
time designated by the Supreme Commander, Allied Expeditionary Force, and
the Soviet High Command prepared, with planary powers, to execute a formal
ratification on behalf of the German High Command of this act of Unconditional
Surrender of the German armed forces.

Chief of the High Command

Commander-in-Chief of the Army

Commander-in-Chief of the Navy

Commander-in-Chief of the Air Forces.

SIGNED

JODL

Representing the German High Command.

DATED 0241 7th May 1945
Rheims, France

Reichspresident Donitz's authorization to German
representatives to execute ratification.

1. We the undersigned, acting by
authority of the German High Command, hereby surrender unconditionally
to the Supreme Commander, Allied Expeditionary Force and simultaneously
to the Supreme High Command of the Red Army all forces on land, at sea,
and in the air who are at this date under German control.

2. The German High Command will at
once issue order to all German military, naval and air authorities and
to all forces under German control to cease active operations at 2301 hours
Central European time on 8th May 1945, to remain in all positions occupied
at that time and to disarm completely, handing over their weapons and equipment
to the local allied commanders or officers designated by Representatives
of the Allied Supreme Commands. No ship, vessel, or aircraft is to be scuttled,
or any damage done to their hull, machinery or equipment, and also to machines
of all kinds, armament, apparatus, and all the technical means of prosecution
of war in general.

3. The German High Command will at
once issue to the appropriate commanders, and ensure the carrying out of
any further orders issued by the Supreme Commander, Allied Expeditionary
Force and by the Supreme Command of the Red Army.

4. This act of military surrender
is without prejudice to, and will be superseded by any general instrument
of surrender imposed by, or on behalf of the United Nations and applicable
to GERMANY and the German armed forces as a whole.

5. In the event of the German High
Command or any of the forces under their control failing to act in accordance
with this Act of Surrender, the Supreme Commander, Allied Expeditionary
Force and the Supreme High Command of the Red Army will take such punitive
or other action as they deem appropriate.

6. This Act is drawn up in the English,
Russian and German languages. The English and Russian are the only authentic
texts.

Signed at Berlin on the 8 day of May, 1945

Von Friedeburg
Keitel
Stumpff

On behalf of the German High Command

IN THE PRESENCE OF:

A.W.Tedder
On behalf of the Supreme Commander, Allied Expeditionary Force

Georgi Zhukov
On behalf of the Supreme High Command of the Red Army

At the signing also were present as witnesses:

F. de Lattre-Tassigny
General Commanding in Chief
First French Army

Carl Spaatz
General, Commanding
United States Strategic Air Force

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

The Allied armies, through sacrifice
and devotion and with God's help, have wrung from Germany a final and unconditional
surrender. The western world has been freed of the evil forces which for
five years and longer have imprisoned the bodies and broken the lives of
millions upon millions of free-born men. They have violated their churches,
destroyed their homes, cor- rupted their children, and murdered their loved
ones. Our Armies of Liberation have restored freedom to these suffering
peoples, whose spirit and will the oppressors could never enslave.
Much remains to be done. The victory
won in the West must now be won in the East. The whole world must be cleansed
of the evil from which half the world has been freed. United, the peace-loving
nations have demonstrated in the West that their arms are stronger by far
than the might of dictators or the tyranny of military cliques that once
called us soft and weak. The power of our peoples to defend themselves
against all enemies will be proved in the Pacific was as it has been proved
in Europe.
For the trimuph of spirit and of arms
which we have won, and of its promise to peoples everywhere who join us
in the love of freedom, it is fitting that we, as a nation, give thanks
to Almighty God, who has strengthened us and given us the victory.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, HARRY S. TRUMAN,
President of the United States of America, do hereby appoint Sunday, May
13, 1945 to be a day of prayer.
I call upon the people of the United
States, whatever their faith, to unite in offering joyful thanks to God
for the victory we have won and to pray that He will support us to the
end of our present struggle and guide us into the way of peace.
I also call upon my countrymen to dedicate
this day of prayer to the memory of those who have given their lives to
make possible our victory.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto
set my hand and caused the seal of the United States of America to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington this
eighth day of May in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and forty-five
and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred
and sixty-ninth.